Protective mantel and accessory hub

Abstract

A protective mantel and accessory hub includes a primary yoke configured to be worn underneath an armor carrier. Sliding attachment points removably connect the armor carrier to the upper protector to allow for mobility and articulation. Accessories such as a throat guard and deltoid guards are removably attached to the mantel. Shoulder suspension members are inserted into the primary yoke to support and distribute the weight of the armor carrier. The armor carrier includes a magnetically attachable front accessory panel and zippered pouches on the front and back to receive and retain body armor plates.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A protective mantle and accessory hub, comprising:
 a primary yoke configured to drape at least partially over the thorax of the wearer; 
 a central panel suspended between respective front sides of the primary yoke, wherein an elastic lateral expansion feature is disposed between the central panel and each of the respective front sides of the primary yoke; and 
 a sliding attachment point disposed on the central panel of the primary yoke, which sliding attachment point attaches to an interior aspect of an armor carrier worn over the primary yoke, wherein the primary yoke retains one or more accessories. 
 
     
     
       2. The protective mantle and accessory hub of  claim 1 , wherein the accessories include a throat guard, a deltoid guard, and a collar. 
     
     
       3. The protective mantle and accessory hub of  claim 2 , wherein the deltoid guard is removably attached to a shoulder area of the primary yoke. 
     
     
       4. The protective mantle and accessory hub of  claim 3 , wherein the deltoid guard is removably attached to the shoulder area of the primary yoke by an expandable element. 
     
     
       5. The protective mantle and accessory hub of  claim 4 , including a bicep guard attached to the deltoid guard such that the bicep guard can articulate with respect to the deltoid guard. 
     
     
       6. The protective mantle and accessory hub of  claim 2 , wherein the throat guard is removably attached to the collar of the primary yoke. 
     
     
       7. The protective mantle and accessory hub of  claim 2 , wherein the throat guard is removably received in one or more openings of the primary yoke. 
     
     
       8. The protective mantle and accessory hub of  claim 7 , wherein at least one of the one or more openings is located on the collar of the primary yoke. 
     
     
       9. The protective mantle and accessory hub of  claim 1 , wherein a shoulder suspension member is received by the primary yoke, wherein at least a portion of the shoulder suspension member is raised above the primary yoke and wherein the shoulder suspension member is configured to distribute the weight of an armor carrier disposed over the primary yoke. 
     
     
       10. The protective mantle and accessory hub of  claim 1 , comprising a ballistic material. 
     
     
       11. The protective mantle and accessory hub of  claim 10 , wherein the ballistic material comprises soft armor. 
     
     
       12. A protective mantle and accessory hub, comprising:
 a primary yoke configured to drape at least partially over the thorax of the wearer; 
 wherein a front of the primary yoke includes a central panel suspended between respective front sides of the primary yoke; 
 wherein a lateral expansion feature is disposed between the central panel and each of the respective front sides of the primary yoke; and 
 wherein the primary yoke retains one or more accessories. 
 
     
     
       13. The protective mantle and accessory hub of  claim 12 , wherein the accessories include a throat guard, a deltoid guard, and a collar. 
     
     
       14. The protective mantle and accessory hub of  claim 13 , wherein the deltoid guard is removably attached to a shoulder area of the primary yoke. 
     
     
       15. The protective mantle and accessory hub of  claim 14 , wherein the deltoid guard is removably attached to the shoulder area of the primary yoke by an expandable element. 
     
     
       16. The protective mantle and accessory hub of  claim 15 , including a bicep guard attached to the deltoid guard such that the bicep guard can articulate with respect to the deltoid guard. 
     
     
       17. The protective mantle and accessory hub of  claim 13 , wherein the throat guard is removably attached to the collar of the primary yoke. 
     
     
       18. The protective mantle and accessory hub of  claim 13 , wherein the throat guard is removably received in one or more openings of the primary yoke. 
     
     
       19. The protective mantle and accessory hub of  claim 18 , wherein at least one of the one or more openings is located on the collar of the primary yoke. 
     
     
       20. The protective mantle and accessory hub of  claim 12 , wherein a shoulder suspension member is received by the primary yoke, wherein at least a portion of the shoulder suspension member is raised above the primary yoke and wherein the shoulder suspension member is configured to distribute the weight of an armor carrier disposed over the primary yoke. 
     
     
       21. The protective mantle and accessory hub of  claim 12 , comprising a ballistic material. 
     
     
       22. The protective mantle and accessory hub of  claim 21 , wherein the ballistic material comprises soft armor.